Missing 🧸

By E.A. Jackson.

Missing by E. A. Jackson, the first book in the DI Martha Allen series, is a quietly gripping and emotionally layered crime book that leaves a lasting impression through its restraint and depth rather than shock.

Set across two timelines, the story opens in London during the stifling heatwave of 1990, when baby Bella Carpenter is taken from her hotel room without a trace.

DI Martha Allen is assigned to the case and immediately senses that something is wrong, particularly when a young woman comes forward with a baby she claims to have found. Despite Martha’s instincts and unease, the case is closed before she can reach the truth, leaving questions unanswered and doubt unresolved.

Thirty years later, that same woman is found dead. Now a superintendent, Martha finds herself unable to let the past rest. Haunted by the case that shaped her career, she begins to reopen old wounds, determined to finally understand what really happened and why her concerns were never properly addressed.

What makes Missing so effective is its structure. The dual timeline unfolds slowly and deliberately, steadily building tension without ever becoming confusing or contrived. The pacing allows the emotional weight of the story to settle, making each revelation feel earned rather than engineered.

Martha Allen is a compelling central character. She is driven, principled, and quietly burdened by the consequences of being right in a system that preferred convenience over truth. Her persistence and moral clarity make her easy to root for, while her flaws and lingering guilt give her real depth.

This is not just a mystery about a missing child. It is a thoughtful examination of intuition, institutional pressure, and the long shadow cast by unresolved injustice. The writing is understated but confident, trusting the reader to engage with the emotional complexity without relying on unnecessary drama.

Smart, measured, and deeply affecting, Missing is a strong start to a crime series that prioritises character and conscience as much as plot. A highly recommended read for anyone drawn to character driven crime with real emotional substance.

Thank you to Lily at Faber & Faber for sending a copy to celebrate publication day! The book is out now and available to purchase.

Buy the book here.

By the Kindle book here.

Support a local and independent bookshop and buy the book here.